Disgusted hero Browns fan does Hulk Hogan impression with Barkevious Mingo jersey
December 1, 2015Josh McCown’s season likely over
December 1, 2015Happy Tuesday WFNY!
I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving weekend! I know I sure did. I got to spend time with family and eat some amazing food and watch my Ohio State Buckeyes systematically dismantle their hated rivals to the north. It was a truly great weekend all around.
And then Monday Night Football happened. And in an instant it tried to unravel all the warm, happy feelings I had from the weekend. But I’m not going to let it. Because I no longer care. Having three consecutive Sundays without Browns football has shown me how pleasant life without the Browns really is. And last night reaffirmed what a nightmare life with them is.
There is zero chance1 that I will watch another Browns game this season. I’ll still keep an eye on their scores, I get updates on my phone. I’ll keep reading what my fellow WFNY writers have to say about them. But I’m done wasting my time watching this franchise. Being a Browns fan is making me less of a football fan. I think I don’t like football as much as I used to, and that’s because I have forgotten how great of a game football is when played by actual professional football players who know how to succeed at their craft. Not watching the Browns will free up my time to watch other NFL teams play the sport at a high level.
I’ve been close to giving up on this franchise for a while now. I’ve written in previous WWWs about my declining passion for the Browns and how this organization is sucking the fan out of me. Last night, watching the Browns waste precious time trying to run a play with time ticking away, then attempting a FG with a time out still in their pocket2 just to have it blocked and run back for a TD was just the ultimate punch to the ol’ gut. I so want to follow Will Gibson’s sage wisdom and not give up on the Browns, but I just cannot continue to waste my time on this leadership. So I’m taking a little Browns hiatus. Wake me up when they have a new owner, GM, and coach.
*****
Instead of the Browns, let’s talk Indians baseball in December
I meant to talk about this a bit last week, but I forgot. However, it’s still appropriate. One of the never ending talking points in my life is streaming sports. It’s important in my life because I finally made the leap and got rid of my cable over the summer. For the most part, I haven’t looked back. But if there’s one area where life continues to be a “struggle”, it’s with watching live sports.
Just because I got rid of cable, it doesn’t mean I’m not willing to pay to watch things. Far from it. I currently am paying for Hulu (ad free, of course), Netflix, HBO Now, Sling TV, and CBS All Access (this one is probably temporary as I catch up on a couple shows). My issue with cable was not paying money for it. It was paying jacked up prices for things I don’t want or use. Now, I can be selective about who I give my money to and I only pay for things I actually use. And I would be more than happy to pay MLB and NBA for the ability to watch Indians and Cavaliers games. Instead, those sports use an antiquated blackout restriction system that blocks me from watching only those teams. That’s right, I could pay to watch any other team in those sports no problem. But because I arbitrarily live in Columbus, Ohio, I cannot. It’s ridiculous.
But things are starting to trend in the right direction. First, if you recall, last year the FCC removed their own blackout rules for sports. Of course, that didn’t make it illegal for the sports themselves to blackout their own games. It simply removed the legal obligation to do so. So far nobody has taken advantage of this. Until now. Major League Baseball announced that this season they will allow in-market streaming for the 15 franchises that have deals with the Fox Sports networks (this includes the Indians). It’s expected that more arrangements for the other teams will be forthcoming.
This is a huge development. For now, this doesn’t benefit cable cutters as it will require a cable login to stream from the Fox Sports Go app, but things like this require baby steps, and for now, allowing in-market streaming is an enormous win for those of us hoping for a new reality in sports streaming.
On a personal level, I’m pretty encouraged by this. Furthermore, this means that should I happen to acquire a cable login, I can watch the Indians again this season. And for some strange reason, this excites me. I want to watch more of Francisco Lindor play. I want to watch more of the Indians’ pitching staff. Last year, I was pretty limited in my ability to do so (most of the things I watched were replays thanks to someone who was kind enough to share an MLB.tv login with me). This year, I might have options.
It’s still not perfect. I don’t like working around the system, per se. I’d rather just pay for an MLB.tv online account and stream the games to my heart’s content. I believe we’ll get there someday, and for once, I feel like we’re starting to see the beginnings of that reality.
*****
What is there to say about the Cavaliers? They are delightfully boring.
I’ve actually written very little about the Cavaliers in my WWWs this year. This is surprising, because not only are they the only actual great team in Cleveland right now, but I’ve always been a basketball-first guy.
But it’s a struggle to find relevant, interesting things to write about the Cavaliers because, well, they are kind of boring. In the best way. They’re not torching the entire basketball world like the Golden State Warriors. That would be exciting. They’re also not performing below expectations, either, which would give us something to talk about.
Instead, they are just more or less exactly what we (or I) expected them to be, especially without Kyrie Irving. They are doing what they need to do and finding a way to win. They easily look like the best team in the Eastern Conference, and that’s without even having their second best player or always giving their best effort. They just sort of……exist. They are good because they have very good players. That’s more or less it.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s awesome seeing Kevin Love step up and show more of his true self this year. It’s awesome seeing Tristan Thompson live up to his contract. And watching LeBron James play basketball will never not be fun (or, at least, it won’t be for a while yet). I’m enjoying this Cavs season immensely. It’s just that it sort of seems like there’s nothing interesting to say about them because they are just doing their thing and grinding out wins.
So the Cavs are fun because they win, but they are boring because of how systematically they approach it. And as I already said, it’s the best kind of boring imaginable. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
*****
My favorite music of 2015 (50 through 31)
Well, it’s December, and that means it’s time for me to unveil my personal list of my favorite albums of 2015. Hopefully Craig and I will be able to do our annual podcast discussing our favorite music, but for now I’m going to reveal my list over the next four weeks in my WWWs. As we get closer to the top, I’ll talk about the albums more. But for now, it’s just a list.
31. Torche – Restarter
32. Sick Feeling – Suburban Myth
33. Hop Along – Painted Shut
34. Royal Thunder – Crooked Doors
35. My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall
36. Speedy Ortiz – Foil Deer
37. liturgy – The Ark Work
38. Chvrches – Every Open Eye
39. Mikal Cronin – MCIII
40. California X – Nights in the Dark
41. Ohio Sky – The Big Distraction
42. Algiers – Algiers
43. Coheed and Cambria – The Color Before the Sun
44. Passion Pit – Kindred
45. The Decemberists – What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
46. Drenge – Undertow
47. Sorority Noise – Joy, Departed
48. mewithoutyou – Pale Horses
49. Wire – Wire
50. Godspeed You! Black Emporer – Asunder, Sweet, and Other Distress
*****
That’s all from me this week. Enjoy the rest of your week, my friends!
38 Comments
Last night was the first game I actively didn’t watch (as opposed to didn’t watch because I had other commitments). I feel much better this morning than I would usually.
It was just my breaking point, man. I (sports) hate the leaders of this franchise so much for what they have done to my love of the Browns. It’s unforgivable.
if you are just willing to wait a few hours after the game ends you can watch it on the archive, no problem. Is it possible to use a proxy?
It is possible, yes. But it’s mildly annoying to keep doing for every game.
I watched the first half and the punt return from the Ravens was literally the funniest thing I have seen on TV this fall.
It is absolutely soul crushing.
I do so for Browns games. Cannot watch if there are any other NFL games going on (for NFL, not a MLB or NBA rule for theirs). It is incredibly annoying.
But, another WWW where you are talking baseball. If it takes this particular Browns seasons plus lots of Lindor to win back Andrew Schnitkey to the Indians, then it was all worth it.
Silver linings everywhere!
Honestly, it wasn’t soul crushing at all. I laughed legitimately. I mean, at this point, we know the team is awful and playing (intentionally or not) for the top pick. If someone is ripping off their jersey and seriously outraged, then they are imbalanced.
Pretty much since 2008 I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the rest of the NFL. Mostly Thursday/Sunday/Monday night games, then you can enjoy the Sunday day.
I was kind of sad I had to watch the Browns (maybe 3rd game I’ve watched start to finish, maybe 3 more I turned off at half time). As others have stated, it was kind of a funny game, glad I caught the end.
I just mean the general state of the Browns is soul crushing. Football isn’t fun when it’s Browns football. It’s just funny.
I went to Doug Loves Movies 12 Guests of Christmas. It was everything a Browns game isn’t: entertaining, worth my time, enjoyable.
done with the browns ? …
sorry about the “F” bomb …
Anyone getting genuinely upset by the Browns from game to game at this point is simply trying way too hard to be genuinely upset by something. It makes me sad that they are what they are (and have been since ’99), but I simply cannot muster the energy to be angry. I still want them to be successful, but I’ve really just become numb to the numerous and tragicomical failures game after game, season after season. And I don’t see any immediate reason for hope. So I’m forever a fan, but simply not fanatical right now.
You won’t see me say this much but it looks like the Browns got screwed not once but twice on that final play. http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/12/1/9825602/ravens-browns-ending-block-kick-six-refs-blown-call
Not only did Baltimore have a player lined up offsides but Hill clearly stepped out of bounds on the run back. 2x on one play. Now I feel even better about how the Pats got screwed by the officials Sunday night. NFL hands down has a problem with officiating.
MNF was actually entertaining though. Just a rotten ending.
Waiting for “Return of the Browns” episode
thanks …. i feel so much better now.
Hill stepping out of bounds is a horrible mistake did anyone even mention the possibility? Where was Pettine? Where was someone watching replays? Bueller? Bueller?
I don’t know which is worse the missed call or the Browns completely missing it? If it’s the latter then one more bullet in my “burn this mutha down” gun!
good post …
Farmer resigned Terrelle Pryor. Please fire this guy already. Today is fine. It doesn’t matter.
All scoring plays are reviewed and the red flag is not needed to be thrown. Have yet to see a definitive angle on sideline.
Thanks Mike Carey!
let’s say it together … ready ? … “in ray we trust” !!
I’m telling you, it’s legit excitement. So congrats, Browns. You did it!
Sorry, I had to delete your follow up image. Rules are rules.
understood … sorry , man.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hyECORLe2jg/SwLuuGD4wII/AAAAAAAAEtE/klMlQt4V424/s400/Brown%252BOuts.jpg
What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.
Scott listed out the Lindor jersey as a great XMAS buy in yesterday’s WWW. Though he went with the plain white. I’d go Cream & Red if I were you 🙂
Great article on SI.com about NFL officiating: http://www.si.com/nfl/2015/12/01/nfl-officials-missed-calls-dean-blandino
Here you go…NFL admits Ravens were onsides on blocked field goal. So welcome to the “getting screwed by NFL officials” club well sort of.
http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/12/1/9829242/browns-ravens-lined-up-onside-kick-six-play-nfl-response
P.S. Red Sox just signed Price to a 7 years over $210M deal. #ugh I wanted Grienke.
Onside means he was NOT in the neutral zone and no penalty should have been called. Offside is a penalty.
I know I butchered that reply when I sent it originally. Anyways David Price. I’m trying to talk myself into it. Not working so far.
Bit of an overpay, but still a top 15-20 SP in MLB, not like the Sox are worried about the money.
Everyone knew Dombrowski would spend. The biggest positive for me is how dominating Price has been at Fenway Park. Undefeated with the second lowest ERA only Babe Ruth did better. Still his playoff struggles concern me but we’ll see.
But, Price won’t get to face the Red Sox in Boston anymore.
Quit toying with my emotions!